What is IgAN?
Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare, inflammatory disease of the kidneys that can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).1
IgAN begins when the body develops abnormal IgA proteins resulting in immune complexes that are deposited in the kidneys causing damage. The deposition of these complexes activates the complement system, leading to terminal complement-driven inflammation. This results in damage and loss of essential parts of the kidney, including cells in the glomeruli, the part of the kidneys that filters and cleans the blood. Over time, this impacts the ability of the kidneys to function properly.1
Diagnosed prevalence in adults is:
Reference.3
In US
In Europe
In Japan
IgAN is typically diagnosed between a person’s late teens and 40s. It is known to occur at a higher rate in people of Asian descent.4,5
People with IgAN may experience signs and/or symptoms, including:
Reference.5
Red or cola-coloured urine due to blood in the urine (haematuria)
Foamy urine (proteinuria)
Swelling in hands and feet (oedema)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
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References
- Cheung CK, et al. The pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy and implications for treatment. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2025;21(1):9-23. doi:10.1038/s41581-024-00885-3. Epub 2024 Sep 4.
- Cedzyński M, et al. Editorial: The Role of Complement in Health and Disease. Front Immunol. 2019;10:1869.
- AstraZeneca Data on File - Epidemiology estimates are composed of a triangulation of different data sources including Data Monitor, Decision Resources Group, Kantar Health, and internal input (updated as of July 2026).
- Ghaddar M, et al. IgA Nephropathy: Epidemiology and Disease Risk Across the World. Semin Nephrol. 2025;45(2):151632.
- Rajasekaran A, et al. IgA Nephropathy: An Interesting Autoimmune Kidney Disease. Am J Med Sci. 2021; 361(2):176–194.
- Stamellou E, et al. IgA nephropathy. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023;9(1):67. doi:10.1038/s41572-023-00476-9.
- Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) IgAN and IgAV Work Group, et al. KDIGO 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN) and Immunoglobulin A Vasculitis (IgAV). Kidney Int. 2025; 108(4S): S1-S71.
- Lai KN, et al. IgA nephropathy. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016; 2: 16001.
- Le Stang MB, et al. Is complement the main accomplice in IgA nephropathy? From initial observations to potential complement-targeted therapies. Molecular Immunology. 2021;140;1-11.
- KDIGO 2021 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Glomerular Diseases. Kidney Int. 2021; 100: S1-s276.
- Wong K, et al. Effects of rare kidney diseases on kidney failure: a longitudinal analysis of the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR)
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